SPARTA, Wis. -- Workers at a protein facility in Sparta, previously owned by Foremost Farms, voted to authorize a strike after new owners Actus Nutrition refused to honor the terms of a deal struck in March.

Teamsters Local 120, the union representing the workers, announced the strike vote Thursday. The Teamsters and Foremost Farms reached a four-year contract in March that promised a wage increase, a boost in pension contributions and an improved health care plan.

Foremost Farms sold the Sparta facility to Actus 30 days after the deal was reached. The union said that Actus is not honoring the new benefits and workers protections that came with the deal, and workers at the facility rejected the company's “last, best, and final offer.”

"Our members negotiated in good faith and secured a

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